The opening round of the lower house in the Premier Basketball League took place today (Thursday), when Bnei Herzliya hosted Hapoel Haifa at the Jubilee Hall for a meeting between the two house leaders. At the end of a tremendous and very close game, the host team won 89:90 thanks to a dramatic 3-pointer by Daniel Rosenbaum.
Already from the first quarter it was possible to see where the game was going. The advantage moved from side to side and both teams provided a good pace right from the start. 18:18 at the end of the quarter. We got a close game in the second quarter as well, when the teams were tied 42:42 at the break.
The second half also opened at a tremendous pace for the game, again the advantage went from side to side. Williams stood out for the hostess, Tucker starred on the other hand. The host managed to get to the end of the third quarter with a slight lead. The fourth quarter continued to be close and volatile, with Williams giving Herzliya a two-point lead, 25 seconds to the end. Nine seconds to the buzzer, Wronzebaum scored a tremendous three-pointer that gave the host a dramatic victory.
Hapoel Haifa leads the lower house and took a significant step towards the playoffs following the victory. On the other hand, Herzliya will try to recover in the next game when they host Afula.
First quarter: tie 18:18
The Herzliya Quintet: Mike McGuirell, Sandy Cohen, Adrian Banks, Jeb Floyd, Tyler Stone.
The Hapoel Haifa Five: Alex Hamilton, Gor Lavie, Daniel Rosenbaum, Dakari Tucker, Marcus Bingham.
Tyler Stone opened the game with three points, Dakari Tucker scored two on the other hand. Banks scored a three-pointer and started a good run for Herzliya, with Floyd and McGuirell running to 0:9. Hamilton and Bingham managed to shrink and reduced the lead to four points. Tucker scored the final points of the quarter with a great 3-pointer to tie the game.
Adrian Banks (Shahar Gross)
Second quarter: tie 42:42
Hamilton opened the second quarter with a dunk and two points. The game continued to be close, and McGuirell scored a three-pointer that gave Herzliya an advantage. Williams added two points, but Gor Lavi had a good streak and scored four points. Williams scored and added four consecutive points, Tucker equalized on the other hand. The advantage moves from side to side at a fast pace. Gershon scored a great three-pointer and tied the game. Hamilton with points from the penalty gave the advantage back to the guests, Sandy Cohen with a great three balanced again. Even in the second quarter, the teams are tied.
Sandy Cohen scores (Roi Kafir)
Third quarter: 61:67 for Hapoel Haifa
The second half opened with two points by Floyd. Hamilton scored two and added one from the penalty spot. Banks scored a three-pointer in a burst, Bingham balanced. The advantage again went from side to side, Tucker scored a three and Sandy Cohen made a free kick on the other side. The game continued to be close, Rosenbaum and Tucker scored from the three and gave the visitors a lead of six. Williams pulled away with two points, but Gershon’s free throw made it six at the end of the third quarter.
Fourth quarter 89:90 to Hapoel Haifa
The last quarter opened with four consecutive points by Floyd in a layup. Hamilton answered with two points of his own, but Stone hit a three to cut the difference to a point. Bingham scored four points and brought the lead back to five. Williams and Borg brought it down to a point, and Stone converted with a great 3-pointer. Bingham responded with a 3-pointer of his own and restored the advantage to the Haifaites.
Daniel Rosenbaum (Roi Kfir)
Gershon added another 3-pointer, with Tucker scoring two to increase the lead to four. Williams continued with a great game and scored two points. Stone scored from the penalty and tied the score with a minute to go. Williams again scored two points and returned the advantage to Herzliya. Rosenbaum scored a tremendous three-pointer nine seconds to the end and Haifa once again had the advantage.
